The World of Crosswords

History of Crosswords

Some historians believe that crossword puzzles are as old as writing itself. The cuneiform script of the Assyrians, one of the oldest in the world, was preserved over millennia on small clay tablets hardened by fire. The writing was done in a grid format, just like modern crosswords. Many speculate whether those tablets were used only for commerce or if they also had recreational value.

The pastime became popular in the 19th century in the USA. From monthly almanacs to periodicals and magazines, the game became increasingly popular, capturing the minds of thousands of Americans.

There are many formats: from diamond-shaped ones to the rectangular ones that appear in the pages of popular newspapers.

Solving Methods

Some people are methodical in how they solve crosswords. Whether by numbered order, horizontals first then verticals, or even starting with the ones with fewer words up to the ones with more words. Others thrive better in a chaotic world: they scan the clues with their eyes and fill in according to their subconscious desires.

One thing is certain: the more words are solved, the easier the crossword becomes. Each word you solve provides hints for the remaining words, since the crossing letters are always the same.

Crosswords for Love Declarations

The most romantic and creative among our users have found a beautiful way to express their love. Love letters or singing telegrams? Forget that! Many lovestruck users have created beautiful crosswords for their significant others. The clues involve details dear to couples such as:

• The place where they met
• Pet names
• Favorite foods they make together
• Special places
• Significant dates

It's a unique and personalized tribute, much more special than something bought from a store. How about surprising your love on Valentine's Day?

Brain Benefits

Crosswords develop IQ and are used by doctors for Alzheimer's treatment. People of all ages who solve crosswords, besides gaining knowledge about the world, also develop their attention and abstraction capacity.

Our body develops with training. The brain is part of the body. Crossword puzzles are an excellent method to exercise the parts of the brain involved in language processing and logical reasoning. Furthermore, some specialists conjecture that those who do more crosswords have an extra facility for learning new languages.

Crosswords Around the World

Crossword puzzles are enjoyed worldwide, with different countries having their own traditions and styles. The tradition of solving crosswords is part of many cultures, whether in print newspapers, specialized magazines, or now in the digital world.